Washington Park, Anacortes
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Washington Park
Washington Park is a coastal park directly west of Anacortes, and offers stunning views of the San Juan Islands around a 2.2 mile paved “Loop Road”. Visitors can walk, bike or drive around this one-way road, and there’s a parking lot at the entrance for those who choose to walk in.
For information on hiking the 1.6 mile “Fidalgo Head Loop Trail” around the park, pick up a map at the Anacortes Visitor Center located at 819 Commercial Avenue, (360) 293-3832.
What are the key attractions around the 2.2 mile Loop Road?
At the start of the Loop Road, visitors will see a beach and a boat launch. The first stretch of road on the northern side of the park hugs the coastline, and there are plenty of pull-outs for parking. A grassed area soon becomes visible, with picnic tables overlooking Guemes Island, Cypress Island and Blakely Island.
As the road winds around to the western side of the park, visitors can take a set of stairs down to the beach, and walk along tessellated rock formations with deep cracks.
The southern section of Loop Road then travels away from the coast to the interior of the park, through thick coastal forest. It then winds back to the coast to a parking lot at the south bluff, with breathtaking views of Burrows Island and Burrows Bay. There is a lighthouse on the northern side of Burrows Island, although this isn’t visible from the view point.
The loop then ends near the original parking lot.
Is camping available?
Overnight camping is available at Washington Park. Please call 360-293-1927 for information.
What other activities are near Washington Park?
After visiting Washington Park, drive to the viewpoint at Cap Santa Park in Anacortes, for superb views of Mt Baker, the Cascades, and the marina. Then drive 5 minutes south of Anacortes to the summit of Mt Erie, the highest point on Fidalgo Island. Continue south to Deception Pass, a spectacular strait between Fidalgo Island and Whidbey Island. Finish the day by having a meal at Anthony’s Restaurant in Anacortes, with superb waterside views.
If you have a few more days, travel 20-minutes southwest of Anacortes to explore the gift shops, boutiques and galleries at La Conner, or take the ferry from Anacortes to Orcas Island or San Juan Island. Alternatively, cross the Deception Pass Bridge to Whidbey Island, and travel down Whidbey Island to explore the lovely villages of Coupeville and Langley, Greenbank Farm, the Lavender Wind Farm, and the lighthouse at Fort Casey.
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